story: (CNN) -- We should all be so lucky to have friends like Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. Private detectives in modern-day Los Angeles, they're the stars of best-selling author Robert Crais' award-winning series of crime novels. Elvis and Joe have been busting bad guys and thrilling millions of readers since 1987's "The Monkey's Raincoat." The books are international bestsellers, published in 42 countries, and have developed a fervent following. 
  
  In "Taken," Crais's newest novel, his 15th featuring the daring duo, Elvis and Joe take on an especially bloodthirsty group of criminals called bajadores. They are bandits who prey on other bandits along the U.S.-Mexico border, dealing in drugs, murder and kidnapping. 
  
  "Taken" is intense and fast-paced and reads like a big-budget Hollywood blockbuster. Though that's not surprising when you consider Crais began his career writing for television series like "Hill Street Blues," "Cagney & Lacey" and "Miami Vice." 
  
  CNN recently spoke to the author about his new book, his loyal fans and why he's refused to bring Elvis and Joe to the big screen. The following is an edited transcript. 
  
  CNN: How has writing about Elvis Cole and Joe Pike changed over the course of the series? 
  
  Crais: I really strive to bring something new to each book. I don't want to write the same book over and over again. I've done Elvis books; I've done Joe books; I've done mixed books, but this time, I made a conscious decision I wanted to tell a story where I could split the book pretty much down the middle and give them 50-50 equal footing so they both have their starring roles. When I discovered this particular story, it just seemed a perfect way to do that. Part of the book, they're working together. Then there's Elvis' track through the story, and there's Joe track, where he's trying to find Elvis and save him. So it just seemed like an ideal way to let these guys share the stage. 
questions: What author is this about?
questions: What news media wrote about him?
questions: Who are Elvis Cole and Joe Pike?
questions: What is their profession?
questions: In what City?
questions: When was the first series written?
questions: What was it's name?
questions: What's the name of Crais' 15th novel?
questions: Are Elvis and Joe in it?
questions: What type of blockbuster is Taken?
questions: Is Taken a slow relaxed read?
questions: Name one show Crais began his career on?
questions: What's another show?
questions: Are there any more?
questions: What's its name?
questions: Have there ever been Elvis books only?
questions: What about for Joe?
answers: Robert Crais
answers: Robert Crais
answers: CNN
answers: CNN
answers: stars of crime novels
answers: stars of best-selling author Robert Crais' award-winning series of crime novels
answers: Private detectives
answers: Private detectives
answers: Los Angeles,
answers: Los Angeles,
answers: 1987
answers: 1987
answers: The Monkey's Raincoat.
answers: The Monkey's Raincoat.
answers: Taken
answers: Taken
answers: Yes
answers: In "Taken," Crais's newest novel, his 15th featuring the daring duo, Elvis and Joe take on an especially bloodthirsty group of criminals called bajadores
answers: Hollywood
answers: Hollywood
answers: No
answers: "Taken" is intense and fast-paced and reads like a big-budget Hollywood blockbuster.
answers: Hill Street Blues
answers: Hill Street Blues
answers: Cagney & Lacey
answers: Cagney & Lacey
answers: Yes
answers: Though that's not surprising when you consider Crais began his career writing for television series like "Hill Street Blues," "Cagney & Lacey" and "Miami Vice." 
answers: Miami Vice
answers: Miami Vice
answers: Yes
answers: I've done Elvis books;
answers: Yes
answers: I've done Joe books